John 10:17-18 English Standard Version
17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
It is difficult to understand how something so precious as salvation could be free. Let us try to understand this from God’s perspective.
Nothing can be stolen from God. God is not weak. Man cannot overpower God. Here Jesus declares the two foundational truths of the free will gift. “I lay down my life that I may take it up again.” The first demonstrates His free will sacrifice and the second demonstrates His power over death. His own words tells us how this relates to our salvation.
John 11:24-28 English Standard Version
24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” 28 When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.”
Jesus is calling. Can we confess in our hearts the words spoken by Martha? “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
“Yes Lord” shows we have accepted His Lordship. “I believe” is by faith, because words have no meaning without faith. He is “coming into the world” is His promise to abide in us all who accept Him into their hearts.